Audio mixing system

ABSTRACT

An audio mixing system comprises a plurality of input ports and output ports, and a plurality of input channels and output channels for controlling characteristic of input sound signals. Two or more input ports included in the plurality of input ports or two or more output ports included in the plurality of output ports are registered as a plurality of patch ports. By an instruction to collectively patch a port group, the input ports or the output ports registered as the plurality of patch ports are patched to input channels or output channels respectively by an input or an output patch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio mixing system which enablescollective patching of a port group having a plurality of ports tochannels.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there are known audio mixing systems which collectsounds played by musical instruments and vocal sounds collected bymicrophones, mix the sounds, and send the mixed sounds to a poweramplifier and various kinds of recording apparatuses or send the mixedsounds to an effector and players who are playing the musicalperformance. Such a conventional audio mixing system has I/O unitsprovided with input ports to which sound signals collected bymicrophones and sound signals supplied from digital recordingapparatuses are input, and output ports which output digital soundsignals, a sound signal processing unit for mixing digital sound signalsand adding effects, and a console on which an operator operates variouskinds of panel operating elements to realize a state where the musicalperformance is expressed most appropriately.

In this case, a multiplicity of input ports which are physical inputterminals of an I/O unit are patched to logical input channels of thesound signal processing unit, respectively. On the input channels, thelevel and frequency response of input sound signals are controlled. Theinput channels are selectively connected to mixing buses. On therespective mixing buses, sound signals input from the input channels aremixed, so that the mixed signals are output from output channelscorresponding to the mixing buses, respectively. Each output channel ispatched to any one of output ports of the I/O unit by an output patch.The output ports are physical output terminals of the I/O unit. Eachoutput port can be connected to any of the output channels as a sourcefrom which signals are to be output to the output port.

FIG. 21 indicates an example patch setting screen 100 for patching portsto channels in a conventional audio mixing system (Instruction Manualfor DIGITAL PRODUCTION CONSOLE DM2000 Version 2, 77-79, [online] YamahaCorporation, Internet<http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/japan/mixers/DM2000V2J1.pdf>,searched on Jun. 10, 2011).

The patch setting screen 100 indicated in FIG. 21 is a screen forpatching input ports to input channels, respectively. On the upper row,channel numbers 100 b of channels “1” to “8” are displayed, whilechannels numbers 100 b of channels “9” to “16” are displayed on thelower row. Below the respective channel numbers 100 b, names ofcorresponding ports 100 a patched to the respective channels aredisplayed. On the patch setting screen 100, for instance, if a userselects channel 8, a frame of the port 100 a situated below the channel8 is displayed in a heavy line to indicate that this channel has beenselected. By user's operation to display a port list 101 which is a listof input ports and user's selection of an input port “AD8”, the inputport “AD8” is patched to channel 8. Similarly, user's desired inputports are patched to input channels, respectively. Information about thesettings of input patch can be stored in an input patch library.

FIG. 22 indicates another example of a patch setting screen 200 forpatching input ports to input channels, respectively, in a conventionalaudio mixing system, (Instruction Manual for PM5D/PM5D-RH V2 DSP5D,74-76, [online], Yamaha Corporation, Internet,http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/japan/mixers/pm5dv2_ja_om_g0.pdf>searched on Jun. 10, 2011).

On the patch setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 22, a matrix patch field201 at which input ports of AD IN are patched to input channels isdisplayed. In the matrix patch field 201, port numbers 201 a of inputports are displayed in a row as 1, 2, 3, . . . , while channel numbers201 b of input channels are displayed in a column as Channel 1, Channel2, Channel 3, . . . . An input port patched to an input channel isindicated by a patch mark 201 c displayed on a cell at which acorresponding row and a corresponding column intersect. In the shownexample, the input port of port number “1” of AD IN is patched to theinput channel “Channel 1”. In a case where a user desires to change theinput patching, the user causes the matrix patch field 201 to displayinput ports which are to be patched to input channels, and furthercauses the matrix patch field 201 to display input channels to which theports are to be patched. By user's click on a cell at which a user'sdesired input port and a user's desired input channel intersect, theinput port is patched to the input channel, so that the patch mark 201 cis displayed at the cell.

FIG. 23 indicates the other example of a patch setting screen 300 forpatching input ports to input channels, respectively, in a conventionalaudio mixing system (Instruction Manual for DIGITAL MIXING CONSOLEVersion 3, 105-109, [online], Yamaha Corporation Internet,http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/japan/mixers/m7clv3_ja_om_h0.pdf>searched on Jun. 10, 2011).

On the patch setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 23, a patch button 300 aand a selected channel field 300 b are displayed. By a click on thepatch button 300 a, a port switch tab 300 c and a list of ports 300 d ofa switched tab are displayed. On the selected channel field 300 b, thename of a selected input channel is displayed. In the shown case, achannel name “Channel 1 (Vocal)” has been selected to be indicated onthe selected channel field 300 b. In the shown case, in addition, a tab“AD 1-16” of the port switch tab 300 c has been selected, so that a listof 16 input ports “AD 1” to “AD 16” is displayed as the ports 300 d. Onthe field of the ports 300 d, as indicated in the figure, “AD 1” whosedisplay color has been changed has been selected, so that the input port“AD 1” is to be patched to the input channel having the channel name“channel 1 (Vocal)”. In a case where a user desires to patch a differentinput port to the input channel whose channel name is “channel 1(Vocal)”, the user is to click on the port switch tab 300 c whichincludes the desired input port, and then selects the desired port.

Although the above-described three types of patching have been explainedabout the cases where input ports are patched to input channels, thepatching by which output ports are patched to output channels can beperformed similarly. Furthermore, although each port can be patched to aplurality of channels, each channel can only be assigned one port.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The conventional audio mixing systems have a problem that each channelhas to be patched to a port in spite of a large number of input channelssuch as 32 channels, 98 channels or even a larger number of inputchannels, resulting in an enormous amount of time being required forpatching. In addition, although the conventional audio mixing systemsare known for concurrent connection between 8 input channels and 8recording tracks, the conventional audio mixing systems have noflexibility, for the respective connections are fixed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an audiomixing system which allows collective patching of a port group formed ofa plurality of ports to channels.

In order to achieve the above-described object, it is a feature of thepresent invention to provide an audio mixing system including aplurality of input ports (30) adapted to receive input sound signals; aplurality of input channels (32) adapted to receive input sound signalsfrom the plurality of input ports; an input patch portion (31) adaptedfor selectively patching the plurality of input ports to the pluralityof input channels; a mix bus (33) adapted for mixing sound signalssupplied from the plurality of input channels; a plurality of outputchannels (35) adapted for inputting sound signal mixed by the mix bus; aplurality of output ports (38) adapted to output sound signals; anoutput patch portion (37) adapted for selectively patching the pluralityof output ports to the plurality of output channels; and a portregistration portion (60, 62) adapted for registering two or more inputports included in the plurality of input ports or two or more outputports included in the plurality of output ports as a plurality of patchports, wherein the input patch portion or the output patch portion isprovided with a group patch portion (61, S10, S11, S13) adapted forpatching the plurality of patch ports registered by the portregistration portion to two or more channels included in the pluralityof input channels or two or more channels included in the plurality ofoutput channels, respectively. The plurality of input channels and aplurality of output channels control characteristic of the input soundsignal for example.

In this case, the port registration portion may be capable ofregistering a plurality of port groups each formed of the plurality ofpatch ports; and the group patch portion may have a port group selectionportion (61 d, S11) adapted for selecting one port group from among theregistered port groups, and may patch the patch ports belonging to theselected port group to the two or more channels included in theplurality of input channels or to the two or more channels included inthe plurality of output channels, respectively.

Furthermore, the group patch portion may a have top channel designationportion (61 b, S10) adapted for designating a top channel of theplurality of channels to which the plurality of patch ports are to bepatched, and may sequentially patch the plurality of patch ports to thetwo or more channels included in the plurality of input channels or tothe two or more channels included in the plurality of output channels,starting at the designated top channel.

Furthermore, the group patch portion may further have a fixed channeldesignation portion (65 d) adapted for designating an input channelwhich is fixed without changing a state of patching of input port to theinput channel or an output channel which is fixed without changing astate of patching of output port to the output channel; and the inputchannel or the output channel designated by the fixed channeldesignation portion may be excluded from the target channels to whichthe patch ports are to be patched.

Furthermore, the group patch portion may further have a re-patch portion(61 g, S13) adapted for re-patching, before sequentially patching theplurality of patch ports to the two or more channels from the topchannel, input ports or output ports which have been already patched tothe top and later input or output channels to input channels or outputchannels displaced by as many channels as the patch ports in a directionin which the patch ports will be sequentially patched.

Furthermore, the group patch portion may further have a fixed channeldesignation portion (65 d) adapted for designating an input channelwhich is fixed without changing a state of patching of input port to theinput channel or an output channel which is fixed without changing astate of patching of output port to the output channel; and the inputchannel or the output channel designated by the fixed channeldesignation portion may be excluded from the target channels to whichthe patch ports are to be patched, and may be excluded from the targetchannels to which the input ports or the output ports are to bere-patched by the re-patch portion.

Furthermore, the group patch portion may further have an unavailableport designation portion (67 d) adapted for designating an input portwhich cannot be patched to any input channel or an output port whichcannot be patched to any output channel; and the input port or theoutput port designated by the unavailable port designation portion maybe excluded from the target ports which are to be patched to theplurality of input channels or the plurality of output channels by thegroup patch portion.

Furthermore, the group patch portion may further cancel an already madepatch of the input port or the output port designated by the unavailableport designation portion to an input channel or an output channel.

The present invention configured as described above enables collectivepatching of a port group formed of a plurality of ports to channels tofacilitate re-patching without requiring a user to re-patch a port to achannel one by one unlike the conventional audio mixing systems. In acase where an apparatus such as I/O unit is newly added to the audiomixing system, particularly, the user can perform re-patching only by asimple task which requires a short time, that is, only by creating aport group for the newly added apparatus and reconfiguring the audiomixing system.

In carrying out the invention, the invention is not limited to theinvention of the audio mixing system, but can be carried out asinventions of a patching method and a computer program for patchingapplied to an audio mixing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram indicative of a hardware configuration of anaudio mixing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram equivalently indicative of aprocessing algorithm of the audio mixing system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is circuit block diagrams indicative of respective configurationsof an input channel and an output channel of the audio mixing system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram indicative of a connection image of units which formthe audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a connection image of an I/O unit and external apparatuses inthe audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram indicative of a port group UI screen displayed inthe audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram indicative of a memory image of port groupinformation used in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a port group selection/patch screen displayed when a portgroup is patched in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a patch process for patching a port group inthe audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a patch setting screen for patching ports to channels in theaudio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is diagrams indicative of a configuration of a port group whichis to be patched in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a patch setting screen of a state where an OverWrite processfor patching a port group to channels has been performed in the audiomixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a patch setting screen of a state where an Insert process forpatching a port group to channels has been performed in the audio mixingsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a patch setting screen for patching ports to channels eachhaving a Fix flag in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a patch setting screen of a state where the OverWrite processfor patching a port group to channels having a Fix flag has beenperformed in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a patch setting screen of a state where the Insert processfor patching a port group to channels having a Fix flag has beenperformed in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a patch setting screen for patching ports each having a Fixflag to channels in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is diagrams indicative of a configuration of a port group whichis to be patched in the audio mixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a patch setting screen of a state where the OverWrite processfor patching a port group having ports for which the Fix flag isprovided to channels has been performed in the audio mixing system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 20 is a patch setting screen of a state where the Insert processfor patching a port group having ports for which the Fix flag isprovided to channels has been performed in the audio mixing system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 21 is an example patch setting screen which is displayed on aconventional audio mixing system and at which ports are patched tochannels;

FIG. 22 is another example patch setting screen which is displayed on aconventional audio mixing system and at which ports are patched tochannels; and

FIG. 23 is the other example patch setting screen which is displayed ona conventional audio mixing system and at which ports are patched tochannels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a block diagram indicative of a hardware configuration of anaudio mixing system 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In the audio mixing system 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 10executes a management program (OS: operating system) to control theentire operation of the audio mixing system 1 on the OS. The audiomixing system 1 has a non-volatile ROM (read-only memory) 11 whichstores operating software such as a control program executed by the CPU10, and a RAM (random-access memory) 12 which serves as a working areafor the CPU 10 to store various kinds of data. By executing the controlprogram, the CPU 10 processes input sound signals by a DSP (digitalsignal processor) 20 to mix the signals. By employing a rewritable ROMsuch as a flash memory as the ROM 11, the operating software can berewritten to facilitate update of the operating software. Under thecontrol of the CPU 10, the DSP 20 controls tone volume level andfrequency response of input sound signals on the basis of setparameters, and mixes the sound signals to perform sound signalprocessing which controls sound characteristics such as tone volume, panand effects in accordance with the parameters. An effector (EFX) 19 addseffects such as reverb, echo and chorus to the mixed audio signals underthe control of the CPU 10.

A display IF 13 is a display interface for displaying, on a displayportion 14 such as a liquid crystal display, various kinds of screensrelating to sound signal processing such as a patch setting screen. Adetection IF 15 scans operating elements 16 such as faders, knobs andswitches provided on a panel of a console of the audio mixing system 1and detects user's operation of the operating elements 16 in order toedit and manipulate parameters for use in sound signal processing inaccordance with the detected signals indicative of the user's operationof the operating elements 16. A communication IF 17 is a communicationinterface for communicating with an external apparatus through acommunication I/O 18, and is an interface for network such as Ethernet(trademark). The CPU 10, the ROM 11, the RAM 12, the display IF 13, thedetection IF 15, the communication IF 17, the EFX 19 and the DSP 20transmit/receive data and the like with each other through acommunication bus 21.

The EFX 19 and the DSP 20 transmit/receive data and the like to/from anAD 22, a DA 23 and a DD 24 which form an input/output portion through asound bus 25. The AD 22 has one or more physical input ports which areinput terminals to which analog sound signals are input. The analogsound signals input to the input ports of the AD 22 are converted todigital sound signals to be transmitted to the sound bus 25. The DA 23has one or more physical output ports which are output terminals whichexternally output mixed signals. The digital sound signals received bythe DA 23 through the sound bus 25 are converted to analog sound signalsto be output from the output ports, so that the signals are output fromspeakers placed in a venue and a stage, and connected to the outputports.

The DD 24 has one or more physical input ports which are input terminalsto which digital sound signals are input, and one or more physicaloutput ports which are output terminals which externally output mixeddigital sound signals. The digital sound signals input to the inputports of the DD 24 are transmitted to the sound bus 25, while thedigital sound signals received through the sound bus 25 are output fromthe output ports to be supplied to a digital recorder or the likeconnected to the output ports. The digital sound signals transmittedfrom the AD 22 and the DD 24 to the sound bus 25 are received by the DSP20, so that the DSP 20 performs the above-described digital signalprocessing. The mixed digital sound signals transmitted from the DSP 20to the sound bus 25 are received by the DA 23 or the DD 24.

Next, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram equivalently indicative of aprocessing algorithm of the audio mixing system 1 according to theembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, digital sound signals received through a plurality of inputports 30 are input to an input patch 31. The input ports 30 are thephysical input terminals of the AD 22 and the DD 24. At the input patch31, respective physical input ports which receive input sound signalsare selectively patched (connected) to logical input channels 32-1,32-2, 32-3, . . . 32-N of an input channel portion 32 having N number ofchannels (N: an integer which is 1 or greater, such as 96 channels). Inthis case, although each input port can be patched to a plurality ofinput channels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

To the input channels 32-1 to 32-N, sound signals In. 1, In. 2, In. 3, .. . In. N input from the input ports 30 patched at the input patch 31are supplied, respectively. In the respective input channels 32-1 to32-N, sound characteristics of the sound signals In. 1, In. 2, In. 3, .. . In. N input to the input channels are controlled. More specifically,characteristics of sound signals input to the input channels 32-1 to32-N of the input channel portion 32 are controlled by an equalizer anda compressor for each input channel, while the send level of the soundsignals is also controlled, so that the controlled signals aretransmitted to M number (M: an integer of 1 or greater) of mix buses 33and L and R stereo cue buses 34. In this case, the respective signalsoutput from N number of input channels of the input channel portion 32are selectively output to one or more of the M number of mix buses 33.

In each of the M number of mix buses 33, signals selectively input fromone or more input channels of the N number of input channels are mixed,resulting in M ways of mixed outputs. The mixed outputs from M number ofmix buses 33 are output to output channels 35-1, 35-2, 35-3, . . . ,35-M of an output channel portion 35 having M number of channels,respectively. In the respective output channels 35-1 to 35-M,characteristics of sound signals such as frequency balance arecontrolled by an equalizer and a compressor, so that the controlledsignals are output as output channel signals Mix. 1, Mix. 2, Mix. 3, . .. Mix. M. The signals Mix. 1 to Mix. M output from M number of outputchannels are output to an output patch 37. From the L and R cue buses34, cue/monitoring signals obtained by mixing one or more input channelsignals input from the N number of input channels are output to acue/monitoring portion 36. The cue/monitoring output obtained bycontrolling the characteristics of sound signals such as frequencybalance by an equalizer and a compressor in the cue/monitoring portion36 is output to the output patch 37.

At the output patch 37, each of signals Mix. 1 to Mix. M output from Mnumber of output channels of the output channel portion 35 and thecue/monitoring output from the cue/monitoring portion 36 can beselectively patched to any of output ports 38. To the respective outputports 38, signals output from the output channels patched by the outputpatch 37 are supplied. In the output ports 38, digital signals outputfrom the output channels are converted to analog output signals so thatthe analog output signals will be amplified by an amplifier connected tothe patched output ports 38 and emitted as tones from a plurality ofspeakers placed on a venue. In addition, the analog output signalsoutput from the output ports 38 are also supplied to in-ear monitorsworn by musicians on a stage, and reproduced by stage monitoringspeakers placed near the musicians.

Digital sound signals output from the output port 38 patched by theoutput patch 37 can be also supplied to a recorder and a DAT connectedto the output port 38 so that the digital sound signals can be digitallyrecorded. Furthermore, the cue/monitoring output can be converted toanalog sound signals so that the analog sound signals will be outputthrough the output port 38 patched by the output patch 37 from amonitoring speaker placed in an operator's room or a headphone worn byan operator to allow the operator to check the sound signals. Asdescribed above, the output patch 37 selectively patches logical outputchannels to the output ports which are the physical output terminals.

The input channels 32-1 to 32-N of the input channel portion 32indicated in FIG. 2 are configured similarly. The configuration of theinput channel will be indicated in FIG. 3(a), taking the input channel32-i as an example.

To the input channel 32-i indicated in FIG. 3(a), one of the input portswill be patched by the input patch 31. The input channel 32-i is formedby cascade-connecting an attenuator (ATT) 41, a head amplifier (H/A) 42,a high pass filter (HPF) 43, an equalizer (EQ) 44, a noise gate (GATE)45, a compressor (Comp) 46, a delay (Delay) 47, a level controller(Level) 48 and a pan (Pan) 49. The attenuator (ATT) 41 controlsattenuation of an input digital sound signal. The head amplifier (H/A)42 amplifies input digital sound signals. The high pass filter (HPF) 43cuts the band of input digital sound signals having frequencies lowerthan a specific frequency. The equalizer (EQ) 44 controls frequencyresponse of input digital sound signals. The equalizer (EQ) 44 can varyrespective frequency responses of four bands: HI, MID HI, LOW MID, andLOW, for example.

The noise gate (Gate) 45 is a gate which cuts off noise. When the levelof an input digital sound signal is equal to or lower than a specifiedvalue, more specifically, the gain of the input digital audio signal isabruptly reduced to cut off noise. The compressor (Comp) 46 reducesdynamic range of an input digital sound signal to prevent the inputdigital sound signal from saturation. The delay (Delay) 47 delays aninput digital sound signal for a period of time so that the distancebetween a tone generator and a microphone connected to the patched inputport will be corrected. The level controller (Level) 48 is a means ofvarying level such as the level of a motor-driven fader for controllingthe send level from the input channel 32-i to the mix bus 33. The pan(Pan) 49 controls lateral localization of a signal transmitted from theinput channel 32-i to two stereo mix buses 33.

A digital sound signal output from the input channel 32-i can besupplied to a desired number of mix buses 33, while the signal is to bealso supplied to the cue buses 34.

The output channels 35-1 to 35-M of the output channel portion 35indicated in FIG. 2 are configured similarly. The configuration of theoutput channel will be indicated in FIG. 3(b), taking the output channel35-j as an example.

To the output channel 35-j indicated in FIG. 3(b), the mixed output fromthe j-th mix bus 33 is input. The output channel 35-j is formed bycascade-connecting an equalizer (EQ) 51, a compressor (Comp) 52, a levelcontroller (Level) 53, a balance (Bal) 54, a delay (Delay) 55 and anattenuator (ATT) 56. The equalizer (EQ) 51 controls frequency responseof digital sound signals which are to be output. The equalizer (EQ) 51can vary respective electric characteristics of six bands: HI, MID HI,MID, LOW MID, LOW and SUB MID, for example. The compressor (Comp) 52reduces dynamic range of a digital sound signal which is to be output toprevent the digital sound signal which is to be output from saturation.

The level controller (Level) 53 is a means of varying level such as thelevel of a motor-driven fader for controlling the output level from theoutput channel 35-j to the output patch 37. The balance (Bal) 54controls the tone volume balance between right and left in a case wherethe output channel 35-j is a stereo channel. The delay (Delay) 55 delaysa digital sound signal which is to be output for a period of time inorder to correct the distance between speakers and the localization. Theattenuator (ATT) 56 controls attenuation of a digital sound signal whichis to be output to the output patch 37.

Next, a connection image of units which form the audio mixing system 1of the present invention is indicated in FIG. 4.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the audio mixing system 1 of the presentinvention is configured by connecting three I/O units #1, #2 and #3which form an input/output portion, a DSP unit 4 having the I/O unit #3,and a console 3 with an audio network 2. The console 3 is used by a userin order to control the audio mixing system 1 by user's operation ofvarious kinds of operating elements provided on a panel of the console 3to realize a state in which the musical performance is mostappropriately expressed. Each of the three I/O units #1, #2 and #3includes at least one of the AD 22, DA 23 and DD24 shown in FIG. 1.According to their respective configurations, more specifically, the I/Ounits #1, #2 and #3 have physical input ports which are input terminalsto which a microphone is connected or physical output ports which areoutput terminals to which an amplifier and the like are connected. TheDSP unit 4 is a unit for realizing the functions of the EFX 19 and theDSP 20 shown in FIG. 1. The console 3 is a unit for realizing respectivefunctions of the components ranging from the CPU 10 to the operatingelements 16 shown in FIG. 1. Each of the I/O units #1, #2 and #3, theDSP unit 4 and the console 3 has the communication IF 17 and thecommunication I/O 18 so that the respective units can be connected bythe audio network 2 including the communication bus 21 and the sound bus25 with each other.

In the audio mixing system 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 4,sound signals input from the input ports of the I/O units #1 and #2 aresupplied to the DSP unit 4 through the audio network 2. Sound signalsinput from the input ports of the I/O unit #3 are supplied directly tothe DSP unit 4. The DSP unit 4 controls the level and frequency responseof the supplied digital sound signals, mixes the controlled signals in adesired combination, and controls the level and frequency response ofthe mixed output. In this case, effects can be added to the soundsignals. The mixed output which has been output from the DSP unit 4 istransmitted to the I/O units #1, #2 and #3 through the audio network 2,so that the mixed output is output from the output ports of the I/Ounits #1, #2, #3 to be supplied to the amplifier and the like.

By user's operation of the operating elements 16 provided on the console3, sound characteristics of respective modules ranging from the Att 41to the Pan 49 of the input channel 32-i shown in FIG. 3(a) and soundcharacteristics of respective modules ranging from the EQ 51 to the Att56 of the output channel 35-j shown in FIG. 3(b) can be changed so thatsound signals in the DSP unit 4 will have desired level and frequencyresponse.

FIG. 5 indicates a connection image of the I/O unit and externalapparatuses in the audio mixing system 1 of the invention. The I/O unit#k shown in FIG. 5 is any one of the I/O units #1, #2 and #3.

The I/O unit #k shown in FIG. 5 has a plurality of physical ports 5 c.As the physical ports 5 c, there exist a plurality of input ports and aplurality of output ports. A microphone 5 a is connected to an inputport of the ports 5 c. An amplifier 6 a is connected to an output portof the ports 5 c. To the amplifier 6 a, a speaker 7 a is connected sothat sound signals amplified by the amplifier 6 a will be emitted astones from the speaker 7 a.

The I/O unit #k has four expansion slots, for example, into each ofwhich an expansion card 8 having ports can be inserted. In the case ofFIG. 5, the expansion cards 8 are inserted into the respective slots ofthe I/O unit #k. Among the expansion cards 8, more specifically, theexpansion card 8 for AD has ports 8 a which are input ports. To theinput port of the expansion card 8 for AD, a microphone 5 b isconnected.

Among the inserted expansion cards, furthermore, the expansion card 8for DA has ports 8 a which are output ports. To the output port of theexpansion card 8 for DA, an amplifier 6 b is connected. To the amplifier6 b, a speaker 7 b is connected so that sound signals amplified by theamplifier 6 b will be emitted as tones from the speaker 7 b. The I/Ounit #k is connected to the audio network 2, so that sound signals inputto the input ports will be transmitted to the DSP unit 4 through theaudio network 2. The mixed output which has been output from the DSPunit 4 is received by the I/O unit #k through the audio network 2, sothat the I/O unit #k will output the mixed output from a specifiedoutput port.

It is the characteristic configuration of the audio mixing system 1 ofthe invention that port groups each having a plurality of ports can becreated whereas physical ports belonging to a port group can becollectively patched to logical channels of the audio mixing system 1.There are two kinds of port groups: port groups each having only inputports and port groups each having only output ports. Any port grouphaving both an input port and an output port cannot be created.

FIG. 6 indicates a port group UI screen 60 which is displayed on thedisplay portion 14 when a port group is to be created/edited. The portgroup UI screen 60 is formed of a Name area situated at the top of thescreen and a Detail area situated below the Name area. On the Name area,a port group name field 60 a is provided. By a click on “▾” situated onthe right end of this field, a list of port groups is displayed. When adesired one of the port groups included in the list is selected, thename of the selected port group is displayed on the port group namefield 60 a. In the shown example, a port group whose name is “My PortGroup 1” has been selected, so that this port group can be edited.Furthermore, a new port group can be created by giving a new name to anedited port group and registering the port group with the new name.

On the Detail area of the port group UI screen 60, a port display field60 b for indicating the details of the ports provided for the audiomixing system 1 and a port registration field 60 c for indicating portsregistered in the port group shown in the port group name field 60 a aredisplayed.

The port registration field 60 c is a table in which ports which will besequentially assigned to channels are specified. These ports are thephysical input ports or output ports of the I/O units or the expansioncards.

The port display field 60 b is configured by a Unit field for indicatingthe I/O unit numbers which have the ports, a Card field for indicatingidentification numbers (ID) of the expansion cards inserted into the I/Ounits, and a Port field for indicating the identification numbers (ID)of the ports of the I/O units or the expansion cards. On a right portionof the port display field 60 b, in addition, a scroll bar and buttonsare provided. By scrolling the port display field 60 b up or down, theuser can check all the ports of the I/O units and the expansion cardsprovided for the audio mixing system 1. In the shown example, the I/Ounit #1 (I/O #1) is displayed on the Unit field, while three expansioncards “Card 1”, “Card 2” and “Card 3” inserted into the expansion slotsof the I/O unit #1 are displayed on the Card field. On the Port field,ports “Port 1”, “Port 2”, “Port 3”, “Port 4”, . . . , of “Card 1”, ports“Port 1”, “Port 2”, “Port 3”, “Port 4”, . . . , of “Card 2”, ports “Port1”, “Port 2”, “Port 3”, “Port 4”, . . . , of “Card 3”, and ports “Port1”, “Port 2”, “Port 3”, “Port 4”, . . . , of the I/O unit #1 aredisplayed.

Because there exist input ports and output ports as ports, the displaycolor or the display characters may vary according to the port type sothat the user can discern between the input ports and the output portsat a glance. Alternatively, in a case where “Port 1” is an input port,the port may be displayed as “Input Port 1”. In a case where “Port 1” isan output port, the port may be displayed as “Output Port 1”. The otherports can be displayed similarly.

On the port registration field 60 c which is a table in which portswhich are to be sequentially assigned to channels are specified, portswhich will be registered in the port group indicated in the port groupname field 60 a are displayed. In the shown example, in the port group“My Port Group 1”, five ports “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 1”, “I/O #1: Card 1:Port 2”, “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 4”, “I/O #1: Card 2: Port 2” and “I/O #1:Card 2: Port 3” are registered. On a right portion of the portregistration field 60 c, in addition, a scroll bar and buttons areprovided. By scrolling the port registration field 60 c up or down, theuser can check all the registered ports. By pressing an “Up” button 60 fprovided on the right of the port registration field 60 c, furthermore,the port registration field 60 c is scrolled up. By pressing a “Down”button 60 g provided below the “Up” button 60 f, the port registrationfield 60 c is scrolled down. By use of these buttons as well, the usercan scroll the port registration field 60 c up or down to check theregistered ports.

Between the port display field 60 b and the port registration field 60c, an Add button 60 d and a Remove button 60 e are provided. Byselecting a desired port from among the ports included in the Port fieldof the port display field 60 b and clicking the Add button 60 d, theselected port is displayed and registered in the port registration field60 c. In the shown example, “Port 4” of “Card 1” of “I/O #1” has beenselected in the port display field 60 b to change the display color of“Port 4”. In the shown example, furthermore, the Add button 60 d hasbeen clicked, so that “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 4” has been added to theport registration field 60 c with the display color of “I/O #1: Card 1:Port 4” being changed.

By selecting any one of the ports listed in the port registration field60 c and clicking the Remove button 60 e, the selected port is deletedfrom the port registration field 60 c to cancel the registration of theport. By clicking an OK button 60 h provided on the left side of thelower part of the port group UI screen 60 after the completion of theediting, port group information of the port group “My Port Group 1” isoverwritten with the edited port group information. By clicking a Cancelbutton 60 i provided on the right of the OK button 60 h, the edited datais abandoned to close the port group UI screen 60.

In a case where the Add button 60 d is clicked in order to add an outputport (input port) to a port group comprised of input ports (outputports), a message saying that the port cannot be added due to differentport type is displayed in order to prevent wrong registration.

The port group information of the created port group is stored in amemory area provided in the RAM 12. When the power of the audio mixingsystem 1 is turned off, the port group information is stored in alarge-capacity storage device such as a hard disk which is provided forthe audio mixing system 1 and is not shown. When the audio mixing system1 is started again, the port group information is to be read from thelarge-capacity storage device to be stored in the memory area of the RAM12.

FIG. 7 indicates a data structure which is a memory image of the portgroup information. As indicated in FIG. 7, the port group information isformed of information about “name”, information about “number of ports”and information about “ports” of the port group. As the informationabout “ports”, information about all the ports registered in the portgroup is recorded in sequence. In a case where n number of ports havebeen registered in the port group, identification numbers #1 to #n aresequentially assigned to the ports so that the ports will be assigned tochannels in the order of #1 to #n. As indicated in the figure, forexample, the information of the port identification number #1 includesidentification information of I/O unit, identification information of anexpansion card in a case of an expansion card, and a port number. Theinformation of the port identification numbers #2 to #n is configuredsimilarly.

The information about “ports” also includes information indicative ofwhether the ports of port identification numbers are input ports oroutput ports.

FIG. 8 indicates a port group selection/patch screen 61 of “Input Patch”displayed on the display portion 14 when input ports are patched toinput channels at the input patch 31 of the audio mixing system 1 of thepresent invention. Although each input port can be patched to aplurality of input channels, each input channel can only be assigned oneinput port.

On the top of the port group selection/patch screen 61 shown in FIG. 8,a rectangular patch button (Patch) 61 a and a selected channel field 61b which is rectangular and long in a lateral direction are arranged sideby side. By a click on the patch button 61 a, a port switch tab 61 c andtab information about the switched tab are displayed on an area rangingfrom the middle to the lower part of the screen 61. In a case where theuser desires to collectively patch input ports included in a port groupto input channels, the tab is switched to “Port Group” as indicated inthe figure. Then, a port group can be selected at a port group namefield (Port Group Name) 61 d, so that port information about portsregistered in the selected port group is displayed on a registered portfield 61 e.

On the port group name field (Port Group Name) 61 d, by a click on abutton “▾” situated on the right end of the field, a list of port groupsis displayed to allow the user to select a desired port group. In thiscase, it is preferable that a list of port groups each of which isformed of input ports is displayed for the screen of “Input Patch”whereas a list of port groups each of which is formed of output ports isdisplayed for the screen of “Output Patch”.

On the lower part of the area in which the tab information is displayed,an OverWrite button 61 f, an Insert button 61 g and a Cancel button 61 hare provided. In the shown case, a port group whose port group name is“My Port Group 1” has been selected. As shown in the registered portfield 61 e, as for this port group, the display color of positionscorresponding to respective port numbers of Port 1, Port 2, Port 4, Port6 and Port 7 of Card 1 of I/O #1 has been changed to indicate theregistration of these five ports.

On the selected channel field 61 b, the top channel of the patching ofinput ports registered in the port group to input channels is selectedto display the name of the selected top channel. In the shown case, aninput channel whose channel name is “Channel 1 (Vocal 1)” has beenselected as the top channel.

When the tab is switched to “AD 1-16”, respective port names of 16 inputports AD 1 to AD 16 are displayed on the area for displaying tabinformation as shown in FIG. 23, whereas an input port selected fromamong the displayed 16 input ports is to be patched to the input channelindicated in the selected channel field 61 b. In other words, each inputport is to be patched to an input channel one by one.

As indicated in FIG. 8, by a click on the OverWrite button 61 f with theinput channel whose channel name is “Channel 1 (Vocal 1)” being selectedas the top channel and the port group whose name is “My Port Group 1”being selected, an OverWrite process is performed. By the OverWriteprocess, the port which has been patched to the input channel “Channel 1(Vocal 1)” which is the top channel to be patched is replaced with Port1 of Card 1 of I/O #1 so that Port 1 of Card 1 of I/O #1 will be patchedto the input channel Ch 1 (Vocal 1). The port which has been patched tothe second input channel “Channel 2” is replaced with Port 2 of Card 1of I/O #1 so that Port 2 of Card 1 of I/O #1 will be patched to thesecond input channel “Channel 2”. The port which has been patched to thethird input channel “Channel 3” is replaced with Port 4 of Card 1 of I/O#1 so that Port 4 of Card 1 of I/O #1 will be patched to the third inputchannel “Channel 3”. The port which has been patched to the fourth inputchannel “Channel 4” is replaced with Port 6 of Card 1 of I/O #1 so thatPort 4 of Card 1 of I/O #1 will be patched to the fourth input channel“Channel 4”. The port which has been patched to the fifth input channel“Channel 5” is replaced with Port 7 of Card 1 of I/O #1 so that Port 7of Card 1 of I/O #1 will be patched to the fifth input channel “Channel5”. As described above, ports of the port group are patched to the samenumber of input channels as the number of ports of the port group,starting at the top channel, so that ports which have been patched tothe input channels are overwritten with the ports of the port group.After the patching, input patch information indicative of the relationbetween the respective input ports and the patched input channels of theinput patch 31 is stored in the memory area of the RAM 12.

By a click not on the OverWrite button 61 f but on the Insert button 61g, an Insert process is performed. By the Insert process, the samenumber of ports as the ports belonging to the port group are re-patchedto input channels whose respective channel numbers increase by 5 whichis the same number as the number of the ports of the port group so thatthe top channels “Channel 1” to “Channel 5” will become vacant. Morespecifically, ports patched to the top channels, “Channel 1” to “Channel5” are re-patched to channels “Channel 6” to “Channel 10”, respectively.Then, the vacant channels “Channel 1” to “Channel 5” are assigned portsas follows: Port 1 of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the top channel“Channel 1”. Port 2 of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the second channel“Channel 2”. Port 4 of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the third channel“Channel 3”. Port 6 of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the fourth channel“Channel 4”. Port 7 of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the fifth channel“Channel 5”. As described above, the same number of input channels asthe ports of the port group are emptied, starting counting at the topchannel. Then, the ports of the port group are patched to the emptiedinput channels so that the ports of the port group will be inserted.After the patching, input patch information indicative of the relationbetween the input ports and the input channels of the input patch 31 isstored in the memory area of the RAM 12.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a patch process for performing theabove-described patching.

By a click on the patch button (Patch) 61 a on the port groupselection/patch screen 61, the patch process of FIG. 9 starts. In stepS10, a logical channel selected in the selected channel field 61 b isselected as the top channel. In step S11, a port group selected in theport group name field 61 d is selected as a port group which will becollectively patched to the channels ranging from the top channelselected in step S10.

In step S12, port group information of the selected port group is readout to judge whether there are a large enough number of input channelsto allow the patching of all the ports indicated by the informationabout the number of ports included in the port group information. In acase where it is judged that there are a large enough number of inputchannels to patch all the ports belonging to the selected port group,the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the above-describedOverWrite process is performed in a case where the OverWrite button 61 fhas been clicked, whereas the Insert process is performed in a casewhere the Insert button 61 g has been clicked.

In a case where it is judged in step S12 that there are not a largeenough number of input channels to patch all the ports belonging to theport group to end up with overflow of the ports, the process branches tostep S14 to display a warning about the overflow of the ports on thedisplay portion 14, and then proceeds to step S15. In step S15, aninquiry made to the user about whether the overflowing ports can beignored is displayed on the display portion 14. In a case where the useranswers “yes”, the process returns to step S13 to perform theabove-described process. In a case where the user answers “no”, thepatch process terminates. After step S13, the patch process terminates.

FIG. 10 indicates a patch setting screen 62 of “Input Patch” at whichinput ports are patched to input channels and which is displayed on thedisplay portion 14 of the audio mixing system 1 of the presentinvention.

On the patch setting screen 62 shown in FIG. 10, a matrix patch field 63for patching input ports to input channels is displayed. In the matrixpatch field 63, port numbers 63 a of input ports of Card 1, Card 2, etc.are displayed in a row as 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8, while channel numbers 63 bof input channels are displayed in a column as “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”,“Channel 3”, . . . . An input port patched to an input channel isindicated by a patch mark 63 c displayed on a cell at which acorresponding row and a corresponding column intersect. The port numbers63 a such as 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8 correspond to Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, .. . , Port 8, respectively. In the shown example, the input port “Port1” having the port number “1” of Card 1 is patched to the input channel“Channel 1”. To the later input channels, furthermore, the input portsare patched in sequence as follows: The input port “Port 2” having theport number “2” of Card 1 is patched to the input channel “Channel 2”,the input port “Port 3” having the port number “3” of Card 1 is patchedto the input channel “Channel 3”, and so on. To the input channel“Channel 9”, the input port “Port 1” having the port number “1” of Card2 is patched. To the later input channels “Channel 10” to “Channel 16”,the input ports “Port 2” to “port 8” having the port numbers “2” to “8”of Card 2 are patched in sequence.

On this patch setting screen 62 as well, the user can edit the patching.In a case where the user desires to change the input patch, the usercauses the patch setting screen 62 to display port numbers of inputports which are to be patched to input channels on the row indicative ofthe port number 63 a and channel numbers of input channels to which theports are to be patched on the column indicative of the channel numbers63 b in the matrix patch field 63. Then, the user clicks on a cell atwhich a user's desired input port and a user's desired input channelintersect. By the user's click, the user's desired input port is patchedto the user's desired input channel, so that the patch mark 63 c isdisplayed at the cell.

FIG. 12 indicates a patch setting screen 62-1 of a state where theabove-described OverWrite process has been performed to collectivelypatch a port group to input channels. In the port group, in this case,input ports indicated in the port registration field 60 c indicated inFIG. 11(a) are registered. To the port group, more specifically, ports“I/O #1: Card 1: Port 3”, “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 4”, “I/O #1: Card 1:Port 1”, “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 5”, . . . have been registered. This portgroup is indicated as shown in FIG. 11(b) in the registered port field61 e of the port group selection screen 61 of FIG. 8. More specifically,the color of positions corresponding to the ports “Port 1”, “Port 3”,“Port 4” and “Port 5” of Card 1 indicated in a card number 71 of I/O #1indicated in an I/O unit number 70 of the registered port field 61 e hasbeen changed in a registration display field 72 to indicate that theseports have been registered.

FIG. 12 indicates the patch setting screen 62-1 of a state where theport group having four ports shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) has beencollectively patched to input channels by the OverWrite process.

As indicated in FIG. 12, on the patch setting screen 62-1 whichindicates a patched state, because the port group has four ports, theexecution of the OverWrite process causes changes in input ports patchedto four input channels “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”, “Channel 3”, and“Channel 4”. More specifically, the port of port number “1” patched tothe input channel “Channel 1” is replaced with Port 3 of port number “3”of Card 1 of I/O #1, so that Port 3 is patched to “Channel 1”. The portpatched to the second input channel “Channel 2” is replaced with Port 4of port number “4” of Card 1 of I/O #1, so that Port 4 is patched to“Channel 2”. The port patched to the third input channel “Channel 3” isreplaced with Port 1 of port number “1” of Card 1 of I/O #1, so thatPort 1 is patched to “Channel 3”. The port patched to the fourth inputchannel “Channel 4” is replaced with Port 5 of port number “5” of Card 1of I/O #1, so that “Port 5” is patched to “Channel 4”. As for theabove-described process, in a case where input channels to which portswill be patched exceed the last input channel, the patching to the lastinput channel is the last process, and any further process will not beperformed. In order to indicate the changes in the patched ports, thecolor of the corresponding patch marks 63 c is changed as indicated inthe figure.

By the patching changes, the input port “Port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 is patched to the input channel “Channel 3”. The input port “Port2” of port number “2” is not patched to any input channel. The inputport “Port 3” of port number “3” is patched to the input channel“Channel 1”. The input port “Port 4” of port number “4” is patched tothe input channel “Channel 2”. The input port “Port 5” of port number“5” is patched to the input channels “Channel 4” and “Channel 5”. Thepatching of the later input ports has not been changed. Morespecifically, the input port “Port 6” of port number “6” is patched tothe input channel “Channel 6”. The input port “Port 7” of port number“7” is patched to the input channel “Channel 7”. The later input portsare also patched similarly.

Although each input port can be patched to a plurality of inputchannels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

FIG. 13 indicates a patch setting screen 62-2 indicative of a statewhere the port group having four ports indicated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG.11(b) has been collectively patched to input channels by the Insertprocess. As indicated in FIG. 13, on the patch setting screen 62-2indicative of a patched state, because the port group has four ports,the execution of the Insert process causes the re-patching of inputports patched to all the input channels ranging from the top to laterinput channels to input channels whose respective channel numbers aregreater by 4 than the originally patched input channels. Then, to thefour vacant top and later input channels “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”,“Channel 3” and “Channel 4”, the ports belonging to the port grouphaving 4 ports are patched sequentially. To the top input channel“Channel 1”, more specifically, Port 3 having the port number “3” ofCard 1 of I/O #1 is patched. To the second input channel “Channel 2”,Port 4 having the port number “4” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched. To thethird input channel “Channel 3”, Port 1 having the port number “1” ofCard 1 of I/O #1 is patched. To the fourth input channel “Channel 4”,Port 5 having the port number “5” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched. To thefifth input channel “Channel 5”, Port 1 having the port number “1” ofCard 1 of I/O #1 is patched. By the Insert process, as described above,the same number of input channels as the ports belonging to the portgroup are emptied, starting at the top channel, so that the ports of theport group can be inserted to be patched to the emptied input channels.As for the above-described process, in a case where input channels towhich ports will be patched exceed the last input channel, the patchingto the last input channel is the last process, and any further processwill not be performed. In order to indicate the changes in the patchedports, the color of the corresponding patch marks 63 c is changed asindicated in the figure. However, the color of the patch marks 63 c ofthe channel “Channel 5” and the later channels to which the ports havebeen moved to be re-patched will not be changed.

By the patching changes, the input port “Port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 is patched to the input channels “Channel 3” and “Channel 5”. Theinput port “Port 2” of port number “2” is patched to the input channel“Channel 6”. The input port “Port 3” of port number “3” is patched tothe input channels “Channel 1” and “Channel 7”. The input port “Port 4”of port number “4” is patched to the input channels “Channel 2” and“Channel 8”. The input port “Port 5” of port number “5” is patched tothe input channels “Channel 4” and “Channel 9”. The later input portsare re-patched to the input channels whose respective channel numbersare greater by 4. More specifically, the input port “Port 6” of portnumber “6” is patched to the input channel “Channel 10”. The input port“Port 7” of port number “7” is patched to the input channel “Channel11”. The later input ports are also patched similarly.

Although each input port can be patched to a plurality of inputchannels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

In some cases, there can be input/output ports which are desired to befixed without changing patched input/output channels even at thecollective patching of a port group to input/output channels. In orderto realize the fixing, a Fix flag is provided for respectiveinput/output channels so that flagged input/output channels will befixed without changing their patching even at the time of the collectivepatching of port group to input/output channels. FIG. 14 indicates apatch setting screen 64 of “Input Patch” in which the input channels areprovided with the Fix flag.

On the patch setting screen 64 shown in FIG. 14, a matrix patch field 65for patching input ports to input channels is displayed. In the matrixpatch field 65, port numbers 65 a of input ports of Card 1, Card 2, etc.are displayed in a row as 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8, while channel numbers 65 bof input channels are displayed in a column as “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”,“Channel 3”, . . . . In a column, furthermore, a Fix setting field 65 dfor setting the Fix flag is provided for each input channel. For flaggedinput channels, “◯” is indicated in the Fix setting field 65 d. An inputport patched to an input channel is indicated by a patch mark 65 cdisplayed on a cell at which a corresponding row and a correspondingcolumn intersect. The port numbers 65 a such as 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8correspond to Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, . . . , Port 8, respectively.

The Fix flag will be explained. In order to set the Fix flag for aninput channel, a user clicks on the Fix setting field 65 d correspondingto the input channel which is not flagged (that is, the Fix settingfield without “◯”). In order to cancel the Fix flag of a flagged inputchannel, a user clicks on the Fix setting field 65 d corresponding tothe input channel which has been flagged (that is, the Fix setting fieldwith “◯”).

On the patch setting screen 64 of FIG. 14, the input channels “Channel1”, “Channel 3” and “Channel 6” are flagged. Even by the collectivepatching of a port group to input channels, therefore, the flagged inputchannels will be skipped to fix the patching of the flagged inputchannels, so that a port will be patched to an input channel of the nextchannel number.

FIG. 15 indicates a patch setting screen 64-1 of a state where the portgroup having four ports shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) has beencollectively patched to input channels by the OverWrite process on thepatch setting screen 64.

As indicated in FIG. 15, on the patch setting screen 64-1 whichindicates a patched state, because the port group has four ports, theexecution of the OverWrite process causes changes in input ports patchedto four input channels “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”, “Channel 3”, and“Channel 4”. Because of the Fix flag set on the input channels “Channel1”, “Channel 3” and “Channel 6”, however, the input ports patched tothese input channels are fixed. More specifically, the flagged inputchannel “Channel 1” is skipped, so that Port 3 of port number “3” ofCard 1 of I/O #1 is to be patched to the next input channel “Channel 2”to replace the input port of port number “2” which has been patched tothe input channel “Channel 2”. Furthermore, the flagged next inputchannel “Channel 3” is also skipped, so that Port 4 of port number “4”of Card 1 of I/O #1 is to be patched to the next input channel “Channel4” to replace the input port which has been patched to the input channel“Channel 4”. In this case, however, the input port which is to bepatched to the input channel “Channel 4” is the same input port as theport which has been patched to the input channel “Channel 4”. Becausethe input channel “Channel 5” is not flagged, Port 1 of port number “1”of Card 1 of I/O #1 is to be patched to the input channel “Channel 5” toreplace the input port which has been patched to the input channel“Channel 5”. Furthermore, because the next input channel “Channel 6” isalso flagged, the input channel “Channel 6” is also skipped, so thatPort 5 of port number “5” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is to be patched to thenext input channel “Channel 7” to replace the input port which has beenpatched to the input channel “Channel 7”. As for the above-describedprocess, in a case where input channels to which ports will be patchedexceed the last input channel, the patching to the last input channel isthe last process, and any further process will not be performed. Inorder to indicate the changes in the patched ports, the color of thecorresponding patch marks 65 c is changed as indicated in the figure.

By the patching changes, the input port “Port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 is patched to the input channels “Channel 1” and “Channel 5”. Theinput port “Port 2” of port number “2” is not patched to any inputchannel. The input port “Port 3” of port number “3” is patched to theinput channels “Channel 2” and “Channel 3”. The input port “Port 4” ofport number “4” is patched to the input channel “Channel 4”. The inputport “Port 5” of port number “5” is patched to the input channel“Channel 7”. The input port “Port 6” of port number “6” is patched tothe input channel “Channel 6”. The input port “Port 7” of port number“7” is not patched to any input channel. The patching of the later inputports has not been changed. More specifically, the input port “Port 8”of port number “8” is patched to the input channel “Channel 8”, whilethe input port “Port 1” of port number “1” of Card 2 is patched to theinput channel “Channel 9”. The later input ports are also patchedsimilarly.

Although each input port can be patched to a plurality of inputchannels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

FIG. 16 indicates a patch setting screen 64-2 indicative of a statewhere the port group having four ports indicated in FIG. 11(a) and FIG.11(b) has been collectively patched to input channels on the patchsetting screen 64 by the Insert process.

As indicated in FIG. 16, on the patch setting screen 64-2 indicative ofa patched state, because the port group has four ports, the execution ofthe Insert process causes re-patching of input ports patched to all theinput channels ranging from the top to later input channels to inputchannels whose respective channel numbers are greater by 4 than theoriginally patched channels. In this case, however, because the Fix flagis set for the input channels “Channel 1”, “Channel 3” and “Channel 6”,the input channels “Channel 1”, “Channel 3” and “Channel 6” are fixed,so that the input ports will be re-patched without being patched tothese flagged input channels. More specifically, the input ports will bemoved by a certain number of channels obtained by taking the number offixed input channels into account. Then, to the top and later vacantfour input channels, the ports belonging to the port group having 4ports are patched sequentially.

In this case, the top and later vacant four input channels are the inputchannels “Channel 2”, “Channel 4”, “Channel 5” and “Channel 7”. Forre-patching an input port, the input port will be re-patched to an inputchannel of a channel number obtained by adding 4 (i.e., four channels)to the number “k” of flagged input channels whose respective channelnumber are greater than the channel number of an originally patchedinput channel. Take the input port “Port 2” of the port number “2” as anexample. Because the input channels “Channel 3” and “Channel 6” whoserespective channel numbers are greater than the input channel “Channel2” to which “Port 2” has been patched are flagged, the input port “Port2” is re-patched to the input channel “Channel 8” which is greater by“4+2=6” than the patched input channel “Channel 2”. Similarly, the inputport “Port 4” of the port number “4” is re-patched to “Channel 9”. Theinput port “Port 5” of the port number “5” is re-patched to “Channel10”. The input port “Port 7” of the port number “7” is re-patched to“Channel 11”. The later input ports are to be re-patched to inputchannels whose respective channel numbers are greater by 4.

More specifically, “Channel 1” which is the top channel and for whichthe Fix flag is set will be skipped, while “Port 3” of the port number“3” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the first vacant input channel“Channel 2”. The next flagged channel “Channel 3” will be also skipped,so that “Port 4” of the port number “4” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patchedto the next vacant channel “Channel 4”. Because the next channel“Channel 5” is also vacant, Port 1 of the port number “1” of Card 1 ofI/O #1 is patched to the input channel “Channel 5”. Furthermore, becausethe next input channel “Channel 6” is also flagged, “Channel 6” will beskipped, so that “Port 5” of the port number “5” of Card 1 of I/O #1 ispatched to the next vacant input channel “Channel 7”. As for theabove-described process, in a case where input channels to which portswill be patched exceed the last input channel, the patching to the lastinput channel is the last process, and any further process will not beperformed. In order to indicate the changes in the patched ports, thecolor of the corresponding patch marks 65 c is changed as indicated inthe figure.

By the patching changes, the input port “Port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 is patched to the input channels “Channel 1” and “Channel 5”. Theinput port “Port 2” of port number “2” is patched to the input channel“Channel 8”. The input port “Port 3” of port number “3” is patched tothe input channels “Channel 2” and “Channel 3”. The input port “Port 4”of port number “4” is patched to the input channels “Channel 4” and“Channel 9”. The input port “Port 5” of port number “5” is patched tothe input channels “Channel 7” and “Channel 10”. The input port “Port 6”of port number “6” is patched to the input channel “Channel 6”. Theinput port “Port 7” of port number “7” is patched to the input channel“Channel 11”. The later input ports are re-patched to input channelswhose respective channel numbers are greater by 4.

Although each input port can be patched to a plurality of inputchannels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

In some cases, there can be input/output ports which cannot be used dueto different purposes or due to fault conditions even at the collectivepatching of a port group to input/output channels. In order to deal withsuch cases, a Fix flag is provided for each input/output port so thatthe patching will be modified such that flagged input/output ports willnot be patched to any input/output channels even at the time of thecollective patching of port group to input/output channels. FIG. 17indicates a patch setting screen 66 of “Input Patch” in which each inputport is provided with the Fix flag.

On the patch setting screen 66 shown in FIG. 17, a matrix patch field 67for patching input ports to input channels is displayed. In the matrixpatch field 67, port numbers 67 a of input ports of Card 1, Card 2, etc.are displayed in a row as 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8, while a Fix setting field67 d for setting the Fix flag is provided for each input port. In acolumn, furthermore, channel numbers 67 b of input channels aredisplayed as Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, . . . . For flagged inputports, “◯” is indicated in the Fix setting field 67 d. An input portpatched to an input channel is indicated by a patch mark 67 c displayedon a cell at which a corresponding row and a corresponding columnintersect. The port numbers 67 a such as 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8 correspondto Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, . . . , Port 8, respectively.

The Fix flag will be explained. In order to set the Fix flag for aninput port, a user clicks on the Fix setting field 67 d corresponding tothe input port which is not flagged (that is, the Fix setting field 67 dwithout “◯”). In order to cancel the Fix flag, the user clicks on theFix setting field 67 d corresponding to the input port which has beenflagged (that is, the Fix setting field 67 d with “◯”).

On the patch setting screen 66 of FIG. 17, the port numbers “3” and “6”of Card 1 and the port numbers “5” and “6” of Card 2 are flagged. Evenby the collective patching of a port group to input channels, therefore,the patching will be modified such that the flagged input ports “Port 3”and “Port 6” of card 1 and the flagged input ports “Port 5” and “Port 6”of Card 2 will not be patched to any channels.

For collective patching of a port group to input channels, input portsindicated in the port registration field 60 c shown in FIG. 18(a) (seethe port group UI screen 60 of FIG. 6) have been registered as the portgroup. As indicated in the figure, more specifically, the input ports“I/O #1: Card 1: Port 3”, “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 4,”, “I/O #1: Card 1:Port 1”, “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 5”, . . . have been registered as theport group. Furthermore, the input port “I/O #1: Card 1: Port 3” isindicated in gray in order to indicate that this input port cannot beused because the input port is reserved for a different purpose orbecause of a failure. In the registered port field 61 e of the portgroup selection screen 61 of FIG. 8, this port group will be displayedas shown in FIG. 18(b). More specifically, in the registration displayfield 72, respective positions of the port numbers of “Port 1”, “Port 4”and “Port 5” of Card 1 of the card number 71 of I/O #1 of the I/O unitnumber 70 of the registered port field 61 e are indicated to show thatthese ports have been selected, while the position of the port number of“port 3” of Card 1 is displayed in gray to indicate that this portcannot be used.

FIG. 19 indicates a patch setting screen 66-1 of a state where the portgroup having four ports shown in FIG. 18(a) and FIG. 18(b) has beencollectively patched to input channels by the OverWrite process.

As indicated in FIG. 19, on the patch setting screen 66-1 whichindicates a patched state, because the port group has four ports, theOverWrite process changes the patching such that the input ports of theport group will be patched to four input channels “Channel 1”, “Channel2”, “Channel 3”, and “Channel 4”, respectively. Because of the Fix flagset on the input port of the port number “3” of Card 1 registered in theport group, however, the patching of this input port to the inputchannel is canceled. More specifically, because the Fix flag is set onthe input port “Port 3” of the port number “3” of Card 1 of I/O #1 whichis the first input port of the port group, the patch to the inputchannel “Channel 3” is canceled. Then, the next Port 4 of port number“4” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the input channel “Channel 1” toreplace an input port which has been patched to the input channel“Channel 1”. Furthermore, the next Port 1 of port number “1” of Card 1of I/O #1 is patched to the input channel “Channel 2” to replace aninput port which has been patched to the input channel “Channel 2”.Then, the next Port 5 of port number “5” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patchedto the input channel “Channel 3” to replace an input port which has beenpatched to the input channel “Channel 3”. In order to indicate thechanges in the patched ports, the color of the corresponding patch marks67 c is changed as indicated in the figure.

Next, although the input port “Port 6” of port number “6” of Card 1 isnot registered in the port group, the Fix flag is set on “Port 6”.Therefore, the patching of “Port 6” to the input channel “Channel 6” iscanceled, so that the input port “Port 7” of port number “7” of Card 1is re-patched to “Channel 6”. Because of this re-patching, the inputport “Port 8” of port number “8” of Card 1 is re-patched to “Channel 7”,while the input ports “Port 1” to “Port 4” of port numbers “1” to “4” ofCard 2 are re-patched to the input channels “Channel 8” to “Channel 11”,respectively. Furthermore, because the input ports “Port 5” and “Port 6”of port numbers “5” and “6” of Card 2 are flagged, the patching of theseinput ports to input channels are canceled. As for the above-describedprocess, in a case where input channels to which ports will be patchedexceed the last input channel, the patching to the last input channel isthe last process, and any further process will not be performed.

By the patching changes, the input port “Port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 is patched to the input channel “Channel 2”. The input ports“Port 2” and “Port 3” of port numbers “2” and “3” are not patched to anyinput channels. The input port “Port 4” of port number “4” is patched tothe input channels “Channel 1” and “Channel 4”. The input port “Port 5”of port number “5” is patched to the input channels “Channel 3” and“Channel 5”. The input port “Port 6” of port number “6” is not patchedto any input channels. The input port “Port 7” of port number “7” ispatched to the input channel “Channel 6”. The input port “Port 8” ofport number “8” is patched to the input channel “Channel 7”.Furthermore, the input ports “Port 1” to “Port 4” of port numbers “1” to“4” of Card 2 are re-patched to channels “Channel 8” to “Channel 11”,respectively.

Although each input port can be patched to a plurality of inputchannels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

FIG. 20 indicates a patch setting screen 66-2 indicative of a statewhere the port group having four ports indicated in FIG. 18(a) and FIG.18(b) has been collectively patched to input channels on the patchsetting screen 66 by the Insert process.

As indicated in FIG. 20, on the patch setting screen 66-2 indicative ofa patched state, because the port group has four ports, the execution ofthe Insert process causes re-patching of input ports patched to all theinput channels ranging from the top to later input channels to inputchannels whose respective channel numbers are greater by 4 than theoriginally patched channels. However, because the input port “Port 3” ofport number “3” of Card 1 which is registered in the port group isflagged so that this port cannot be used, the input ports are re-patchedto input channels whose respective channel numbers are greater by 3. Inaddition, because the input port of “Port 6” of port number “6” of Card1 and the input ports “Port 5” and “Port 6” of port numbers “5” and “6”of Card 2 are also flagged, the patching is modified such that theseports will not be used. As a result, three input channels ranging fromthe first input channel are emptied. More specifically, the input port“Port 1” of port number “1” of Card 1 is re-patched from “Channel 1” to“Channel 4”. The input port “Port 2” of port number “2” of Card 1 isre-patched from “Channel 2” to “Channel 5”. The patch of the inputchannel to the input port “Port 3” of port number “3” of Card 1 iscanceled. The input port “Port 4” of port number “4” of Card 1 isre-patched from “Channel 4” to “Channel 6”. The input port “Port 5” ofport number “5” of Card 1 is re-patched from “Channel 5” to “Channel 7”.The patch of the input channel to the input port “Port 6” of port number“6” of Card 1 is canceled. The input port “Port 7” of port number “7” ofCard 1 is re-patched from “Channel 7” to “Channel 8”. The input port“Port 8” of port number “8” of Card 1 is re-patched from “Channel 8” to“Channel 9”. As a result, the input channels “Channel 1” to “Channel 3”are emptied.

More specifically, because the Fix flag is set on the input port “Port3” of the port number “3” of Card 1 of I/O #1 which is the first inputport of the port group, the patch of the input port “Port 3” to theinput channel “Channel 3” is canceled. Then, the next “Port 4” of portnumber “4” of Card 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the vacant top channel“Channel 1”, while the next input port “port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 of I/O #1 is patched to the next vacant input channel “Channel2”. Furthermore, the next “port 5” of port number “5” of card 1 of I/O#1 is patched to the next vacant input channel “Channel 3”. As for theabove-described process, in a case where input channels to which portswill be patched exceed the last input channel, the patching to the lastinput channel is the last process, and any further process will not beperformed. In order to indicate the changes in the patched ports, thecolor of the corresponding patch marks 67 c is changed as indicated inthe figure.

By the patching changes, the input port “Port 1” of port number “1” ofCard 1 is patched to the input channels “Channel 2” and “Channel 4”. Theinput port “Port 2” of port number “2” of Card 1 is patched to the inputchannel “Channel 5”. The input port “Port 3” of port number “3” is notpatched to any input channels. The input port “Port 4” of port number“4” is patched to the input channels “Channel 1” and “Channel 6”. Theinput port “Port 5” of port number “5” is patched to the input channels“Channel 3” and “Channel 7”. The input port “Port 6” of port number “6”is not patched to any input channels. The input port “Port 7” of portnumber “7” is patched to the input channel “Channel 8”. The input port“Port 8” of port number “8” is patched to the input channel “Channel 9”.Furthermore, the input ports “Port 1” to “Port 4” of port numbers “1” to“4” of Card 2 are patched to input channels “Channel 10” to “Channel13”, respectively.

Although each input port can be patched to a plurality of inputchannels, each input channel can only be assigned one input port.

As for the above-described audio mixing system according to theembodiment of the present invention, the input patch has been explainedconcretely. As for the output patch as well, however, a port groupformed of output ports can be similarly patched to output channelscollectively.

In the audio mixing system of the present invention, furthermore, eachphysical port can be registered in a plurality of port groups. In a portgroup, furthermore, port numbers of ports registered in the port groupmay not be consecutive.

In the audio mixing system of the invention, furthermore, default portgroups are defined. The port groups are provided, being organized by I/Ounit and expansion card inserted into I/O unit.

What is claimed is:
 1. An audio mixing system comprising: a plurality ofinput ports adapted to receive input sound signals; a plurality ofoutput ports adapted to output sound signals; a first processor and adigital signal processor adapted to perform digital signal processingof: a plurality of input channels adapted to receive input sound signalsfrom the plurality of input ports; an input patch adapted forselectively patching the plurality of input ports to the plurality ofinput channels; a mix bus adapted for mixing sound signals supplied fromthe plurality of input channels; a plurality of output channels adaptedfor inputting sound signals mixed by the mix bus; and an output patchadapted for selectively patching the plurality of output ports to theplurality of output channels; and a display interface adapted todisplay: registration of two or more input ports included in theplurality of input ports or two or more of output ports included in theplurality of output ports as a first plurality of patch ports;registration of a first port group formed of the first plurality ofpatch ports; registration of two or more input ports included in theplurality of input ports or two or more of output ports included in theplurality of output ports as a second plurality of patch ports;registration of a second port group formed of the second plurality ofpatch ports; editing of the first port group into an edited port groupformed of an edited plurality of patch ports by displaying addition ofan input port included in the plurality of input ports or an output portincluded in the plurality of output ports to the first plurality ofpatch ports to provide the edited plurality of patch ports or removal ofa patch port from the first plurality of patch ports to provide theedited plurality of patch ports; registration of the edited port groupformed of the edited plurality of patch ports; and selection of one portgroup from among the registered edited port group and the registeredsecond port group, wherein the first processor and the digital signalprocessor are adapted to perform: collectively patching the plurality ofpatch ports belonging to the selected port group to two or more inputchannels included in the plurality of input channels or two or moreoutput channels included in the plurality of output channels,respectively, by determining port-to-channel assignments of theplurality of patch ports to the two or more input or output channels,respectively, and connecting the plurality of patch ports to the two ormore input or output channels, respectively.
 2. The audio mixing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the display interface is adapted todisplay designation of a top channel of the plurality of channels towhich the plurality of patch ports belonging to the selected port groupare to be patched, and the first processor and the digital signalprocessor are adapted to perform sequentially patching the plurality ofpatch ports belonging to the selected port group to the two or moreinput channels included in the plurality of input channels or to the twoor more output channels included in the plurality of output channels,starting at the designated top channel.
 3. The audio mixing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the display interface is adapted todisplay designation of an input channel which is fixed without changinga state of patching of input port to the fixed input channel ordesignation of an output channel which is fixed without changing a stateof patching of output port to the fixed output channel, and thedesignated input channel or the designated output channel is excludedfrom one or more target channels to which the plurality of patch portsbelonging to the selected port group are to be patched.
 4. The audiomixing system according to claim 2, wherein the first processor and thedigital signal processor are adapted to perform re-patching, before saidsequentially patching the plurality of patch ports belonging to theselected port group to the two or more input or output channels from thetop channel, input ports or output ports which have been already patchedto the top channel and later input or output channels to input channelsor output channels displaced by as many channels as the patch portsbelonging to the selected port group in a direction in which the patchports belonging to the selected port group will be sequentially patched.5. The audio mixing system according to claim 4, wherein the displayinterface is adapted to display designation of an input channel which isfixed without changing a state of patching of input port to the fixedinput channel or designation of an output channel which is fixed withoutchanging a state of patching of output port to the fixed output channel,and the designated input channel or the designated output channel isexcluded from one or more target channels to which the plurality ofpatch ports belonging to the selected port group are to be patched, andis excluded from one or more target channels to which the input ports orthe output ports are to be re-patched.
 6. The audio mixing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the display interface is adapted todisplay designation of an input port which cannot be patched to anyinput channel or an output port which cannot be patched to any outputchannel, and the designated input port or the designated output port isexcluded from one or more target ports which are to be patched to theplurality of input channels or the plurality of output channels.
 7. Theaudio mixing system according to claim 6, wherein the first processorand the digital signal processor are adapted to perform canceling analready made patch of the designated input port or the designated outputport to an input channel or an output channel.
 8. A method applied to anaudio mixing system having: a plurality of input ports adapted toreceive input sound signals; a plurality of output ports adapted tooutput sound signals; a first processor and a digital signal processoradapted to perform digital signal processing of: a plurality of inputchannels adapted to receive input sound signals from the plurality ofinput ports; a mix bus adapted for mixing sound signals supplied fromthe plurality of input channels; and a plurality of output channelsadapted for inputting sound signals mixed by the mix bus, the methodcomprising the steps of: selectively patching the plurality of inputports to the plurality of input channels; selectively patching theplurality of output ports to the plurality of output channels;registering two or more input ports included in the plurality of inputports or two or more output ports included in the plurality of outputports as a first plurality of patch ports; registering a first portgroup formed of the first plurality of patch ports; registering two ormore input ports included in the plurality of input ports or two or moreof output ports included in the plurality of output ports as a secondplurality of patch ports; registering a second port group formed of thesecond plurality of patch ports; editing the first port group into anedited port group formed of an edited plurality of patch ports by addingan input port included in the plurality of input ports or an output portincluded in the plurality of output ports to the first plurality ofpatch ports to provide the edited plurality of patch ports or removing apatch port from the first plurality of patch ports to provide the editedplurality of patch ports; registering the edited port group formed ofthe edited plurality of patch ports, selecting one port group from amongthe registered edited port group and the registered second port group;and collectively patching the plurality of patch ports belonging to theselected port group to two or more input channels included in theplurality of input channels or two or more output channels included inthe plurality of output channels, respectively, by determiningport-to-channel assignments of the plurality of patch ports to the twoor more input or output channels, respectively, and connecting theplurality of patch ports to the two or more input or output channels,respectively.
 9. A non-transitory storage medium storing a computerprogram that is to be executed by a computer to be applied to an audiomixing system having: a plurality of input ports adapted to receiveinput sound signals; a plurality of output ports adapted to output soundsignals; a first processor and a digital signal processor adapted toperform digital signal processing of: a plurality of input channelsadapted to receive input sound signals from the plurality of inputports; a mix bus adapted for mixing sound signals supplied from theplurality of input channels; and a plurality of output channels adaptedfor inputting sound signals mixed by the mix bus, the computer program,when executed by the computer, causing the computer to perform a methodcomprising: selectively patching the plurality of input ports to theplurality of input channels; selectively patching the plurality ofoutput ports to the plurality of output channels; and registering two ormore input ports included in the plurality of input ports or two or moreoutput ports included in the plurality of output ports as a firstplurality of patch ports; registering a first port group formed of thefirst plurality of patch ports; registering two or more input portsincluded in the plurality of input ports or two or more of output portsincluded in the plurality of output ports as a second plurality of patchports; registering a second port group formed of the second plurality ofpatch ports; editing the first port group into an edited port groupformed of an edited plurality of patch ports by adding an input portincluded in the plurality of input ports or an output port included inthe plurality of output ports to the first plurality of patch ports toprovide the edited plurality of patch ports or removing a patch portfrom the first plurality of patch ports to provide the edited pluralityof patch ports; registering the edited port group formed of the editedplurality of patch ports; selecting one port group from among theregistered edited port group and the registered second port group; andcollectively patching the plurality of patch ports belonging to theselected port group to two or more input channels included in theplurality of input channels or two or more output channels included inthe plurality of output channels, respectively, by determiningport-to-channel assignments of the plurality of patch ports to the twoor more input or output channels, respectively, and connecting theplurality of patch ports to the two or more input or output channels,respectively.